BLM Pinedale Seeks Comment on ProposedEnCana Worker Camp

EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. is proposing to construct and operate a worker camp on property near its natural gas production operations in the Jonah Field. The proposed camp would be located on a 15-acre parcel of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in southcentral Sublette County, west of U.S. Highway 191 (location map). The Pinedale Field Office is seeking comments by Oct. 15, 2007 for the proposed worker camp.

"EnCana and the BLM want to create a long-term living environment for Jonah Field workers; improve human health and safety for the public; reduce the current strain on community infrastructure, and reduce impact to the environment," said Caleb Hiner, Pinedale BLM project lead.

The EnCana Worker Camp would provide comfortable living accommodations for up to 350 workers consisting of dormitory style housing, a dining hall, laundry facilities and recreational amenities. The worker camp would be designated as a drug- and alcohol-free environment and residents would adhere to strict EnCana policies at the camp. EnCana expects that the worker camp operations would coincide with its gas production operations for the next 5 to 10 years. When the worker camp is no longer needed, the structures would be removed and the land reclaimed.

It is expected that the worker camp would help relieve traffic congestion on Highways 351 and 191. It would also reduce the probability of traffic accidents by eliminating the daily commute of up to 350 people into the energy fields. Fewer vehicles on the roads would reduce energy consumption and decrease vehicle emissions. By eliminating the daily commute, EnCana anticipates on-the-job worker safety would also improve.

The existence of the worker camp should help to reduce the social and economic burden that a large workforce often places on small communities such as Pinedale, Big Piney and Boulder. Adequate and appropriate long-term housing is not currently available to the current EnCana workforce.